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#MumbaiGangRape: India’s men speak out

Indian journalists of both the print and electronic media pose for photos while holding placards as they protest against a gang rape of a female Indian photojournalist 24 August 2013. (EPA/JAIPAL SINGH)

Indians are once again outraged by yet another rape. This time it was a group assault on a young woman in the heart of Mumbai, the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. This new wave of anger and protesting comes just eight months after a New Delhi woman died of injuries sustained from a gang rape. On Wednesday’s show we speak to an all-male Indian panel about the attitudes towards women in the country. Join us at 1930GMT.

#MumbaiGangRape: India’s men speak out

How can men be part of the solution for ending violence against women?

Following news of a gang rape in Mumbai, netizens took to social media to express their outrage. The incident reignited discussion about women's security after a series of high profile rapes and assaults were reported.

Photojournalist gang-raped in India's MumbaiAlJazeeraEnglish

This incident comes after a number of reported cases in India since December 2012:

Cases of rape and sexual abuse in India - Google MapsFind local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps

Many online condemned the rape. Men questioned how others of their gender could commit acts of sexual violence against women:

Disgusted. Ashamed. Aghast. Not about the city or rupee. But for being a man! Or a guy. It's disgusting n repulsive now. #mumbaigangrapeDelon

#MumbaiGangRape why do some men do this? One's head hangs in shame.Shivam Vij

Always thought Mumbai was one of the safest cities for women. Dismayed beyond belief by #MumbaiGangRapeVikram Chandra

The Stream's online community responded with suggestions on how to tackle this issue:

@AJStream Its a culture of total lack of respect for women and women's rights. Can we not make this about the 'menz' or their ego plz?Reena Rao

@AJStream Bollywood needs to start serving as a social educational tool producing stronger female leads in order to influence Indian societyNeha Shastry

Many called for stricter punishment against rapists, including the death penalty:

@vijaywest This nonsense needs to stop at the cost of anything. The #rapists should be HANGED without the supreme court's verdict. #MumbaiZORAN SAHER

#MumbaiGangRape - Please if there is a government in Maharashtra, bring these rapists to justice.Sreedhar Pillai

The following image argues that the present laws in India are ineffective in tackling the problem:

MARD (Hindi for "man"), started by actor and activist Farhan Akhtar, draws on the appeal of Bollywood and cricket stars to raise awareness. Facebook and Twitter users spread the message by sharing campaign images such as this one:

It has been my case for the last ten years that the only way we can reduce violence against women is to attack the problem at its base and from all sides. Attack it in schools from primary school upwards. We have to educate our boys, we have to reach out to their parents, their neighbourhoods, their communities.hindustantimes.com

Twitter users echoed that sentiment:

When you have a closed culture that won't talk about sex education, you will spit out these animals into the system. #MumbaiGangRapeJanith W

Reminder: anything the victim did or didn't do beforehand is irrelevant. TEACH BOYS NOT TO RAPE #MumbaiGangRapeJerome